Fluid-Dispensing Brush

ABSTRACT

A fluid dispensing brush facilitates performing personal grooming activities. To facilitate this, the fluid-dispensing brush has a handle, a removable brush, a cartridge, a fluid transfer channel. A cartridge-receiving receptacle is positioned within a first end of the handle so that the cartridge can be inserted into the handle. The outlet coupler is a fluid-transfer mechanism that enables the removable brush to be mounted onto a second end of the handle and be retained in fluid communication with the cartridge. The fluid-transfer channel passes through the removable brush and is in fluid communication with the outlet coupler. Thus, enabling fluid stored within the cartridge to be dispensed onto the brush while performing personal grooming. The dispenser mechanism is a mechanical actuator that generates the force required to dispense fluid out of the cartridge, through the fluid-transfer channel and onto a brushing surface of the removable brush.

The current application claims a priority to the U.S. Provisional Patentapplication Ser. No. 62/543,157 filed on Aug. 9, 2017.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a personal care accessory.More specifically, the present invention relates to a brush thatdispenses fluid out of a removable cartridge.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a brush which is adapted to contain asignificant quantity of toothpaste or gel therein and to dispense thetoothpaste or gel onto the toothbrush or hairbrush bristles. The brushgenerally comprises a hollow handle having a brush head that isdetachably mounted onto a top end of the handle, a disposable toothpasteor gel containing cartridge supported within the handle interior, and apiston mechanism thread ably attached to a bottom end of the handle. Thepiston mechanism is adapted to force the toothpaste or gel out of thehandle into a conduit formed through the brush head. The conduit leadsfrom the interior of the handle to a plurality of outlet holes disposedbelow resilient valves in a rubber gasket layer which supports thebristles. The valves allow toothpaste or gel to flow from the conduitonto the bristles of the toothpaste or gel while preventing water orother fluids from flowing into the conduit to contaminate the toothpasteor gel supply.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is left-side sectional view of the present invention taken alongline 3-3 in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is left-side sectional view of the present invention taken alongline 3-3 in FIG. 2. In this figure, the dashed line indicates thedirection of travel for the stored fluid.

FIG. 5 is left-side sectional view of the removable brush taken alongline 3-3 in FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram with dashed lines indicating electronicacommunication between the components of the present invention.

DETAIL DESCRIPTIONS OF THE INVENTION

All illustrations of the drawings are for the purpose of describingselected versions of the present invention and are not intended to limitthe scope of the present invention.

In reference to FIG. 1 through FIG. 7, the present invention, thefluid-dispensing brush, is a personal care apparatus that enables a userto dispense a stored fluid while performing personal grooming.Preferably, the present invention is a toothbrush that dispensestoothpaste from a removable cartridge of toothpaste. Alternatively, thepresent invention can be designed to function as a hair or cleaningbrush that dispenses fluids onto the bristles while in use. To achievethis, the present invention comprises a handle 1, a removable brush 2, acartridge 3, at least one fluid-transfer channel 4, and a dispensermechanism 5. The handle 1 comprises a handle body 11, acartridge-receiving receptacle 12, and an outlet coupler 13. The handlebody 11 is the primary structural component of the present invention andis ergonomically shaped to be easily grasped by a user. Thecartridge-receiving receptacle 12 traverses into a first end 111 of thehandle body 11. Accordingly, the cartridge-receiving receptacle 12enables the cartridge 3 to be inserted into the handle 1 and used todispense the stored fluid. The outlet coupler 13 is a device used toenable the fluid stored within the cartridge 3 to be transferred intothe removable brush 2. To that end, the outlet coupler 13 is integratedinto a second end 112 of the handle body 11, opposite to thecartridge-receiving receptacle 12. Additionally, the cartridge 3 engagesinto the cartridge-receiving receptacle 12. Thus positioned, thecartridge 3 can be coupled to the handle 1 without impeding theergonomic functionalities engendered by the shape of the handle body 11.The cartridge 3 is in fluid communication with the outlet coupler 13while engaged into the cartridge-receiving receptacle 12. Consequently,the stored fluid can be dispensed from the cartridge 3 by passingthrough the outlet coupler 13.

In reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 3, the removable brush 2 is a componentthat functions as a brush head and a fluid delivery system. To achievethis, the removable brush 2 is detachably mounted onto the outletcoupler 13. As a result, the user can perform personal grooming bygrasping the handle 1 and manipulating the removable brush 2. Thefluid-transfer channel 4 traverses through the removable brush 2.Additionally, the fluid-transfer channel 4 is in fluid communicationwith the outlet coupler 13. As a result, the stored fluid can flowthrough the outlet coupler 13, into the fluid-transfer channel 4, and bedispensed onto the removable brush 2 at locations that facilitatepersonal grooming. The dispenser mechanism 5 is a mechanical actuatorthat is used to force the stored fluid out of the cartridge 3 and thenthrough the outlet coupler 13 and the fluid-transfer channel 4.Additionally, the dispenser mechanism 5 is integrated into the handle 1.Further, the dispenser mechanism 5 is operatively coupled to thecartridge 3. Thus coupled, the dispenser mechanism 5 forces a fluidstored within the cartridge 3 to travel through the outlet coupler 13and through the fluid-transfer channel 4. Consequently, the dispensermechanism 5 enables the user to control the amount of the stored fluidthat is dispensed. Further, the dispenser mechanism 5 governs the rateat which the stored fluid is dispensed.

In reference to FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, as described above, the presentinvention is manufactured to function as a toothbrush, a hairbrush, orany number of personal grooming devices, Preferably, however, thepresent invention is manufactured to function as a toothpaste-dispensingtoothbrush. As such, the removable brush 2 comprises a neck 21, a brushhead 22, and a plurality of bristles 23. The brush head 22 is terminallyconnected to the neck 21 so that the brush head 22 is advantageouslypositioned when performing personal grooming activities, such asbrushing one's teeth. Relatedly, the outlet coupler 13 is removablymounted onto the neck 21, opposite to the brush head 22. As a result,the present invention is able to function as a modular system with partsthat can be removed or replaced as required. The plurality of bristles23 is adjacently connected to a brushing surface 222 of the brush head22. Additionally, the plurality of bristles 23 is distributed across thebrushing surface 222. As a result, the brush head 22 can be used toperform scrubbing and brushing operations. The fluid-transfer channel 4traverses through the neck 21 and the brush head 22. Additionally, afirst opening 41 of the fluid-transfer channel 4 is positioned oppositeto the brush head 22, along the neck 21. Further, a second opening 42 ofthe fluid-transfer channel 4 is centrally positioned on the brushingsurface 222. Thus positioned, the fluid-transfer channel 4 functions asthe conduit through which the stored fluid passes when being dispensedonto the brushing surface 222. Specifically, the stored fluid that exitsthe outlet coupler 13 enters the fluid-transfer channel 4 through thefirst opening 41 of the fluid transfer and exits the fluid-transferchannel 4 through the second opening 42. The first opening 41 forms ahermetic seal with the outlet coupler 13 such that the stored fluid isprevented from leaking or being contaminated by contact with theexternal environment.

In reference to FIG. 4, FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, the present invention isdesigned to grant the user increased control over the local area ontowhich the stored fluid will be applied. To facilitate this, the presentinvention further comprises at least one dispenser tip 24. The dispensertip 24 is a flexible tube hollow tube. Additionally, the dispenser tip24 is mounted over the second opening 42 of the fluid-transfer channel4. Further, the dispenser tip 24 being in fluid communication with thecartridge 3 through the fluid-transfer channel 4 and the outlet coupler13. Accordingly, the dispenser tip 24 forms the last conduit throughwhich the stored fluid travels before being deposited onto an externalsurface. Preferably, the dispenser tip 24 is shaped similarly to abristle and facilitates depositing the stored fluid directly onto thesurface of a tooth or dispersing the stored fluid among strands of hair.The present invention further comprises a one-way valve 43 that isintegrated into the fluid-transfer channel 4. As a result, the storedfluid is permitted to flow from the first opening 41 toward the secondopening 42 but is prevented from flowing in the opposite direction.

In reference to FIG. 3 and FIG. 6, the present invention is designed touse a motorized system to dispense the stored fluid on command. To thatend, the present invention further comprises an endcap 14. Additionally,the cartridge 3 comprises a tubular body 31, a dispensing nipple 32, abase 33, and a storage compartment 34. Preferably, the dispensingmechanism is a length-adjustable cylinder 5. The tubular body 31 is arigid hollow structure that is designed to be housed within thecartridge-receiving receptacle 12. The dispensing nipple 32 is aconnector that is designed to function as a spout. The dispensing nipple32 is terminally connected to the tubular body 31. Additionally, thedispensing nipple 32 is adjacently attached to the outlet coupler 13,opposite to the removable brush 2. Thus, facilitating dispensing of thestored fluid. The base 33 is slidably mounted within the tubular body 31Additionally, the storage compartment 34 is positioned in between thebase 33 and the dispensing nipple 32. Consequently, the volume of thestorage compartment 34 can be increased or decreased by sliding the base33 along the length of the tubular body 31. The storage compartment 34is in fluid communication with the outlet coupler 13 through thedispensing nipple 32. As a result, the stored fluid can be forced out ofthe storage compartment 34 and through the outlet coupler 13 by slidingthe base 33 closer to the dispenser nipple. The endcap 14 is detachablymounted over the first end 111 of the handle body 11 so that thecartridge 3 can be locked into place while engaged into thecartridge-receiving receptacle 12. The length-adjustable cylinder 5 is amechanical actuator that extends and contracts when directed by theuser. The length-adjustable cylinder 5 is mounted in between the endcap14 and the base 33. Consequently, the length-adjustable cylinder 5generates the force required to move the base 33 closer to or away fromthe dispensing nipple 32. Thus, causing the sored fluid to flow out ofthe cartridge 3.

In reference to FIG. 4 and FIG. 6, in a first alternative embodiment thedispensing mechanism is a pump 5. In this embodiment, the pump 5 isadjacently connected to the outlet coupler 13 opposite to the removablebrush 2. Further, the storage compartment 34 is in fluid communicationwith the outlet coupler 13 through the pump 5. Accordingly, the pump 5causes the stored fluid to flow out of the cartridge 3. In a secondalternative embodiment, the length-adjustable cylinder 5 can be replacedby a rotating motor and a worm gear. In this embodiment, the base 33 isengaged along the worm gear such that rotating the worm gear causes thebase 33 to move closer to or further away from the dispensing nipple 32.

In reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 7, the present invention is designed tofunction as an intelligent system that responds to user commands andperforms various functions, ancillary to personal grooming. To achievethis functionality, the present invention further comprises a user inputdevice 6 and a control system 7. The user input device 6 is laterallymounted onto the handle 1. Thus positioned, the user input device 6 canbe easily accessed by the user's fingers while grasping the handle 1.The control system 7 functions as the central processor for the presentinvention and is used to interpret user input then issue commands thatgovern the operation of the electrical components of the presentinvention. The control system 7 is integrated into the handle 1 so thatthe control system 7 is protected from hazards in the externalenvironment. Additionally, the control system 7 is electronicallyconnected to the user input device 6 and the dispenser mechanism 5.Accordingly, the control system 7 can send and receive data between theelectrical components of the present invention. In the first alternativeembodiment, the control system 7 includes a wireless radio that enablesthe present invention to be communicably coupled to external devices.The present invention further comprises a light 8. Preferably, the light8 is an ultraviolet light that is adjacently connected to the removablebrush 2, opposite to the outlet coupler 13. Additionally, the light 8 iselectronically connected to the control system 7. Consequently, the useris able to shine ultraviolet light out of the brush head 22 byinteracting with the user input device 6. The present invention mayfurther comprise a plurality of environmental sensors. The plurality ofenvironmental sensors is integrated into the removable brush 2 andmonitor the health of the user's mouth. Additionally, these sensors canbe used to cause an onboard speaker to audibly alert the user ofunhealthy oral conditions.

Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferredembodiment, it is to be understood that many other possiblemodifications and variations can be made without departing from thespirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.

What is claimed is:
 1. A fluid-dispensing brush comprising: a handle; aremovable brush; a cartridge; at least one fluid-transfer channel; adispenser mechanism; the handle comprising a handle body, acartridge-receiving receptacle, and an outlet coupler; thecartridge-receiving receptacle traversing into a first end of the handlebody; the outlet coupler being integrated into a second end of thehandle body, opposite to the cartridge-receiving receptacle; thecartridge engaging into the cartridge-receiving receptacle; thecartridge being in fluid communication with the outlet coupler; theremovable brush being detachably mounted onto the outlet coupler; thefluid-transfer channel traversing through the removable brush; thefluid-transfer channel being in fluid communication with the outletcoupler; the dispenser mechanism being integrated into the handle; andthe dispenser mechanism being operatively coupled to the cartridge,wherein the dispenser mechanism forces a fluid stored within thecartridge to travel through the outlet coupler and through thefluid-transfer channel.
 2. The fluid-dispensing brush as claimed inclaim 1 comprising: the removable brush comprising a neck, a brush head,and a plurality of bristles; the brush head being terminally connectedto the neck; the outlet coupler being removably mounted onto the neck,opposite to the brush head; the plurality of bristles being adjacentlyconnected to a brushing surface of the brush head; the plurality ofbristles being distributed across the brushing surface; thefluid-transfer channel traversing through the neck and the brush head; afirst opening of the fluid-transfer channel being positioned opposite tothe brush head, along the neck; and a second opening of thefluid-transfer channel being centrally positioned on the brushingsurface.
 3. The fluid-dispensing brush as claimed in claim 2 comprising:at least one dispenser tip; the dispenser tip being mounted over thesecond opening of the fluid-transfer channel; and the dispenser tipbeing in fluid communication with the cartridge through thefluid-transfer channel and the outlet coupler.
 4. The fluid-dispensingbrush as claimed in claim 2 comprising: a one-way valve; and the one-wayvalve being integrated into the second end of the fluid-transferchannel.
 5. The fluid-dispensing brush as claimed in claim 1 comprising:the handle further comprising an endcap; the cartridge comprising atubular body, dispensing nipple, a base, and a storage compartment; thedispensing mechanism being a length-adjustable cylinder; the dispensingnipple being terminally connected to the tubular body; the dispensingnipple being adjacently attached to the outlet coupler, opposite to theremovable brush; the base being slidably mounted within the tubularbody; the storage compartment being positioned in between the base andthe dispensing nipple; the storage compartment being in fluidcommunication with the outlet coupler through the dispensing nipple; theendcap being detachably mounted over the first end of the handle body;and the length-adjustable cylinder being mounted in between the endcapand the base.
 6. The fluid-dispensing brush as claimed in claim 1comprising: the cartridge comprising a tubular body, a storagecompartment, a base; the dispensing mechanism being a pump; the storagecompartment traversing into a first end of the cartridge body; the basebeing mounted over the first end of the storage compartment; the pumpbeing adjacently connected to the outlet coupler opposite to theremovable brush; and the storage compartment being in fluidcommunication with the outlet coupler through the pump.
 7. Thefluid-dispensing brush as claimed in claim 1 comprising: a user inputdevice; a control system; the user input device being laterally mountedonto the handle; the control system being integrated into the handle;and the control system being electronically connected to the user inputdevice and the dispenser mechanism.
 8. The fluid-dispensing brush asclaimed in claim 7 comprising: a light; the light being adjacentlyconnected to the removable brush, opposite to the outlet coupler; andthe light being electronically connected to the control system.
 9. Afluid-dispensing brush comprising: a handle; a removable brush; acartridge; at least one fluid-transfer channel; a dispenser mechanism;the handle comprising a handle body, a cartridge-receiving receptacle,and an outlet coupler; the removable brush comprising a neck, a brushhead, and a plurality of bristles; the cartridge-receiving receptacletraversing into a first end of the handle body; the outlet coupler beingintegrated into a second end of the handle body, opposite to thecartridge-receiving receptacle; the cartridge engaging into thecartridge-receiving receptacle; the cartridge being in fluidcommunication with the outlet coupler; the removable brush beingdetachably mounted onto the outlet coupler; the fluid-transfer channeltraversing through the removable brush; the fluid-transfer channel beingin fluid communication with the outlet coupler; the dispenser mechanismbeing integrated into the handle; the dispenser mechanism beingoperatively coupled to the cartridge, wherein the dispenser mechanismforces a fluid stored within the cartridge to travel through the outletcoupler and through the fluid-transfer channel; the brush head beingterminally connected to the neck; the outlet coupler being removablymounted onto the neck, opposite to the brush head; the plurality ofbristles being adjacently connected to a brushing surface of the brushhead; the plurality of bristles being distributed across the brushingsurface; the fluid-transfer channel traversing through the neck and thebrush head; a first opening of the fluid-transfer channel beingpositioned opposite to the brush head, along the neck; a second openingof the fluid-transfer channel being centrally positioned on the brushingsurface;
 10. The fluid-dispensing brush as claimed in claim 9comprising: at least one dispenser tip; the dispenser tip being mountedover the second opening of the fluid-transfer channel; the dispenser tipbeing in fluid communication with the cartridge through thefluid-transfer channel and the outlet coupler;
 11. The fluid-dispensingbrush as claimed in claim 9 comprising: a one-way valve; the one-wayvalve being integrated into the second end of the fluid-transferchannel;
 12. The fluid-dispensing brush as claimed in claim 9comprising: the handle further comprising an endcap; the cartridgecomprising a tubular body, dispensing nipple, a base, and a storagecompartment; the dispensing mechanism being a length-adjustablecylinder; the dispensing nipple being terminally connected to thetubular body; the dispensing nipple being adjacently attached to theoutlet coupler, opposite to the removable brush; the base being slidablymounted within the tubular body; the storage compartment beingpositioned in between the base and the dispensing nipple; the storagecompartment being in fluid communication with the outlet coupler throughthe dispensing nipple; the endcap being detachably mounted over thefirst end of the handle body; the length-adjustable cylinder beingmounted in between the endcap and the base;
 13. The fluid-dispensingbrush as claimed in claim 9 comprising: the cartridge comprising atubular body, a storage compartment, a base; the dispensing mechanismbeing a pump; the storage compartment traversing into a first end of thecartridge body; the base being mounted over the first end of the storagecompartment; the pump being adjacently connected to the outlet coupleropposite to the removable brush; the storage compartment being in fluidcommunication with the outlet coupler through the pump;
 14. Thefluid-dispensing brush as claimed in claim 9 comprising: a user inputdevice; a control system; the user input device being laterally mountedonto the handle; the control system being integrated into the handle;the control system being electronically connected to the user inputdevice and the dispenser mechanism;
 15. The fluid-dispensing brush asclaimed in claim 14 comprising: a light; the light being adjacentlyconnected to the removable brush, opposite to the outlet coupler; thelight being electronically connected to the control system; 16.fluid-dispensing brush comprising: a handle; a removable brush; acartridge; at least one fluid-transfer channel; a dispenser mechanism;at least one dispenser tip; a user input device; a control system; thehandle comprising a handle body, a cartridge-receiving receptacle, andan outlet coupler; the removable brush comprising a neck, a brush head,and a plurality of bristles; the cartridge-receiving receptacletraversing into a first end of the handle body; the outlet coupler beingintegrated into a second end of the handle body, opposite to thecartridge-receiving receptacle; the cartridge engaging into thecartridge-receiving receptacle; the cartridge being in fluidcommunication with the outlet coupler; the removable brush beingdetachably mounted onto the outlet coupler; the fluid-transfer channeltraversing through the removable brush; the fluid-transfer channel beingin fluid communication with the outlet coupler; the dispenser mechanismbeing integrated into the handle; the dispenser mechanism beingoperatively coupled to the cartridge, wherein the dispenser mechanismforces a fluid stored within the cartridge to travel through the outletcoupler and through the fluid-transfer channel; the brush head beingterminally connected to the neck; the outlet coupler being removablymounted onto the neck, opposite to the brush head; the plurality ofbristles being adjacently connected to a brushing surface of the brushhead; the plurality of bristles being distributed across the brushingsurface; the fluid-transfer channel traversing through the neck and thebrush head; a first opening of the fluid-transfer channel beingpositioned opposite to the brush head, along the neck; a second openingof the fluid-transfer channel being centrally positioned on the brushingsurface; the dispenser tip being mounted over the second opening of thefluid-transfer channel; the dispenser tip being in fluid communicationwith the cartridge through the fluid-transfer channel and the outletcoupler; the user input device being laterally mounted onto the handle;the control system being integrated into the handle; the control systembeing electronically connected to the user input device and thedispenser mechanism;
 17. The fluid-dispensing brush as claimed in claim16 comprising: a one-way valve; the one-way valve being integrated intothe second end of the fluid-transfer channel;
 18. The fluid-dispensingbrush as claimed in claim 16 comprising: the handle further comprisingan endcap; the cartridge comprising a tubular body, dispensing nipple, abase, and a storage compartment; the dispensing mechanism being alength-adjustable cylinder; the dispensing nipple being terminallyconnected to the tubular body; the dispensing nipple being adjacentlyattached to the outlet coupler, opposite to the removable brush; thebase being slidably mounted within the tubular body; the storagecompartment being positioned in between the base and the dispensingnipple; the storage compartment being in fluid communication with theoutlet coupler through the dispensing nipple; the endcap beingdetachably mounted over the first end of the handle body; thelength-adjustable cylinder being mounted in between the endcap and thebase;
 19. The fluid-dispensing brush as claimed in claim 16 comprising:the cartridge comprising a tubular body, a storage compartment, a base;the dispensing mechanism being a pump; the storage compartmenttraversing into a first end of the cartridge body; the base beingmounted over the first end of the storage compartment; the pump beingadjacently connected to the outlet coupler opposite to the removablebrush; the storage compartment being in fluid communication with theoutlet coupler through the pump;
 20. The fluid-dispensing brush asclaimed in claim 16 comprising: a light; the light being adjacentlyconnected to the removable brush, opposite to the outlet coupler; thelight being electronically connected to the control system;